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Two student leaders coordinate statewide residence life conference

BLACKSBURG, Va., March 9, 2007 – Two Virginia Tech students gained valuable experience in leadership and planning at the 2007 Virginia Association of College and University Residence Halls (VACURH) conference, hosted on the Virginia Tech campus Feb. 9 through 11.

Student conference co-chairs Jeyfe Sucgang of Virginia Beach, Va., a junior majoring in biology and psychology in the College of Science, Meagan Callihan of Virginia Beach, a senior majoring in biology in the College of Science, organized the event with the help of faculty advisor Yolanda Avent. The student-run conference welcomed 125 delegates from colleges and universities across the state.

Sucgang and Callihan coordinated meetings, organized the philanthropy fundraiser, reserved rooms and hotel accommodations, led the VACURH conference staff team, recruited volunteers, and wrote the bid for approval to host the conference, among many other tasks.

“I truly could not have asked for two better conference co-chairs,” said Avent, assistant coordinator for the Residence Hall Federation and the Hillcrest Honors Community at Virginia Tech. “They were dedicated, energetic, responsive and awesome leaders. Students really enjoyed the conference and had wonderful things to say about everything from registration, hospitality, and food to accommodations.”

Conference attendees raised $800 dollars for Heifer International, a humanitarian aid organization that provides livestock for program participants in more than 125 countries. They also supported the conference philanthropy by collecting 80 books and $200 in donations to distribute through the Blacksburg library for children of the New River Valley community.

The Virginia Association of College and University Residence Halls conference is hosted annually at different schools to bring together residence hall leaders to participate in leadership development activities, conduct business for the organization and award prizes for the best programs, advisors and delegates. It also features presentation seminars led by association members and competitive events designed to encourage displays of school spirit. This conference was sponsored by Residence Life and other departments within Virginia Tech’s Student Programs.